Coin chute with improved calipering and latching mechanism

ABSTRACT

The chute comprises a rectangular housing, which has at least one lever pivotally mounted on one side of the housing and movable toward and away from such side. The lever has an abutment which normally engages a coin-apertured slide reciprocably carried by the housing. A pair of elements respectively mounted on the housing and on the lever is arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by the slide. If the coin has a predetermined denomination corresponding to the initial spacing of the elements, it will move the second element and thus unlatch the abutment and free the slide to move toward full advancement.

llnite gttes atnt Anesi et a1.

[ Mar. 18, 1975 COIN CHUTE WlTH 1M1ROV1E1) CAMPERING AND LATCHlNG MECHANlSM [75] Inventors: Mario Anesi, lnverness; Salvatore Maori, Chicago, both of 111.; John P. Wynn, Macon, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Ansan T001 and Manufacturing Co.,

1nc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [21'] Appl. No.: 366,583

52 es. en. 194/55 [511 lnt. C1. G071 l/06 {58] Field of Search 194/55, 57, 58, 59, 92

156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,095,431 10/1937 Bugg 194/55 X 3,064,788 11/1962 Hall 194/55 3,455,427 7/1969 Tinsley, Jr. 194/55 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrang1ey, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler & Stotland [57} ABSTRACT The chute comprises a rectangular housing, which has at least one lever pivotally mounted on one side of the housing and movable toward and away from such side. The lever has an abutment which normally engages a coin'apertured slide reciprocably carried by the housing. A pair of elements respectively mounted on the housing and on the lever is arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by the slide. 1f the coin has a predetermined denomination corresponding to the ini tial spacing of the elements, it will move the second element and thus unlatch the abutment and free the slide to move toward full advancement.

25 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 10 I06 0 /04 76 73 84 /48 7'0 C) u- /H0 [03 H8 0 --e: 111 I I 23 l 78 r1 ,1 l ,0 t

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77 22 .'II II? 75/ l m:

COIN CHUTE WITH IMPROVED CALIPERING AND LATCHING MECHANISM In one form of the invention, a recess is provided in the housing, which receives the lever when the abutment thereof is in its latching position. In another form, the lever includes a mounting portion disposed in a cavity in the above-mentioned side, a pivot pin passing through the mounting portion and through the ceiling and floor which define the cavity. In yet another form, the housing has two levels, in the lower of which levels are disposed the elements and in the upper of which levels is disposed the slide. In such form, the lever is ar ranged, so that the abutment is to the rear of the mounting portion. In still another form, a pair of levers is provided which move toward and away respectively from the sides of the housing and have abutments to en gage the slide. In such case, two pairs of elements re ceive coins carried in a dual-apertured slide. Two carriage plates are movable along a guide in the housing and respectively carry one of the elements of each pair so as to enable selection of the denomination of the coins to which the levers will respond.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved coin chute.

Another object is to provide a coin chute in which the latching levers are safely tucked into the sides of the housing when they are in their unlatching positions.

Still another object is to provide a coin chute having pivotally mounted latching levers, the pivot pins for which are unlikely to become dislodged in use.

Yet another object is to provide a coin chute having a dual-level housing, but which has a minimum length.

A further object is to provide a coin chute which can be finally adjusted to accept coins of particular denominations.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a still further object to insure that the adjustment will not change during use.

A yet further object is to reduce the number of parts needed to construct a calipering and locking mechanism for a coin chute.

- In summary, there is provided a coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, at least one of the sides having an outwardly facing elongated recess therein extending in the direction of the one side, a lever includ ing an elongated arm and an abutment on the arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on the arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portion to the housing to enable the arm to swing into and out of the recess, the abutment beingmovable with the arm between a latching position when the arm is in the recess and an unlatching position when the arm is out of the recess, means attached to the housing and to the lever for urging the abutment to the unlatching position thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by the housing between the sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having a coinreceiving aperture therein, a keeper on the slide en gageable with the abutment in the latching position thereof when the slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching the slide against further advancement, and first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on the housing and on the lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by the slide, the elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination, so that such coin carried by the slide will move the second element and cause the lever to carry the abutment to the unlatching position thereof and thereby free the slide to move toward full advancement.

In another form of the invention, at least one of the sides of the housing has an outwardly facing cavity therein defined by a ceiling and a floor, the mounting portion of the lever being disposed in the cavity between the ceiling and the floor, the chute further com prising a pivot pin passing through the ceiling and the floor and the mounting portion pivotally to mount the lever.

In still another form of the invention, the housing has first and second levels, the first level being above the second level in use of the chute, the slide being reciprocably mounted in the first level, the aperture in the slide communicating with the second level forwardly of the mounting portion, so that a coin carried by the slide will drop into the second level as the slide is advanced, the first and second laterally aligned elements being arranged in the second level and forwardly of the abutment.

In a further form, the coin chute comprises a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on the arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on the arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portions of the levers to the housing respectively adjacent to the sides thereof to enable the arms to swing toward and away from the housing, each of the abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when the arm is adjacent to the housing and an unlatching position when the arm is away from the housing, means attached to the housing and to the first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the unlatching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by the housing between the sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having first and second coin-receiving apertures therein, two keepers on the slide respectively engageable with the abutments in the latching positions thereof when the slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching the slide against further advancement, first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on the housing and on the first lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in the first aperture, the first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by the slide will move the second element and cause the first lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, third and fourth laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on the housing and on the second lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in the second aperture, the third and fourth elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination, so that such coin carried by the slide will move the fourth element and cause the second lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, the slide being freed to move toward full advancement when coins of proper denomination have caused the abutments of both of the levers to move to their respective unlatching positions, the lateral positions of the first and third elements being finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance between the first and second elements and the distance between the third and fourth elements to select the denomination of the coins which will unlatch the abutments, and means for releasably securing thefirst and third elements in selected positions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain features of construction and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a coin chute incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the coin chute;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view of the coin chute;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view of the coin chute, but with the bottom plate and associated structure removed, and with the forward portion of the coin chute horizontally sectioned;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in lateral cross section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom plate, the slide in the retracted position thereof, and the levers in the latching positions thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, with the slide advanced to the point where the coins pivot the levers to the unlatching positions thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one of the levers and the associated lug, which constitutes one of the calibrating means.

Turning now to the drawings there is illustrated a coin chute incorporating the features of the present invention. The coin chute 20 is adapted for use on a vending machine which sells products or services, such as a laundry machine or the like. When coins of predetermined denomination are inserted in the coin chute,

i it may be actuated to operate the vending machine and cause it to dispense the product or to provide a service such as washing laundry. The vending machine has a front panel 21 illustrated in phantom, the coin chute 20 being mounted on such panel in a suitable opening therein. Thus, a portion of the coin chute 20 extends into the interior of the vending machine, and the remainder protrudes outwardly therefrom so as to be accessible to a user. In the particular embodiment of the coin chute illustrated, it will accept two coins 22 and 23 (FIG. 8), in order to actuate the vending machine. For example, thecoin 22 may be a nickel and the coin 23, a quarter.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 to 3, the details of construction of the coin chute 20 will be described. The coin chute 20 includes a housing which, in one form, was cast as illustrated. The housing 30 includes a front section 31, a rear section 32, and a face plate 33 between the sections 31 and 32. In use, when mounted on the panel 21 of the vending machine, the front section 31 protrudes from the front, the face plate 33 abuts the outer surface of the panel 21 and is secured thereto by screws or the like, and the rear section 32 extends into the interior-of the vending machine. In the form illustrated, the face plate 33 has a top which is gable shaped.

The front section 31 is defined on the sides thereof by a pair of skirts 34 which are trapezoidal in shape, the top of each skirt 34 extending inwardly to define a guide 35. The front section 31 has a bottom wall 36, in which are formed longitudinally extending channels 37, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. Protruding upwardly from the bottom wall 36 are longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart rails 38 which are disposed generally parallel to the channels 37. The guides are spaced from the bottom wall 36, so as to define a channel or passageway for the slide, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Near the rear end of the front section 31, a pair of holes 39 is formed in the bottom wall 36. As is best seen in FIG. 3, the top portion of each hole 39 is rectangular, whereas the lower portion is annular. Ones finger may be positioned in one of the holes 39 to dislodge a coin located in an aperture of the slide.

The rear section 32 of the housing 30 includes a body 40 which is directed rearwardly from the face plate 33. The body 40 is substantially rectangular in plan, as is best seen in FIG. 1, and has a pair of longitudinally extending sides 41 and 41a. The body 40 has a top wall 42, a bottom wall 43 and a dividing wall 44. The dividing wall 44 splits or divides the hollow interior of the body into an upper level 45 and a lower level 46 (FIGS. 3 and 6 specifically). A pair oflongitudinally extending channels 47 is provided in the lower level 46 and is separated by a longitudinally extending median strip 48. In one form of the invention, each channel 47 has a width of about 1 inch, while the over-all width of the bottom surface 43 was 2% inches. Formed through the dividing wall 44, centrally in each channel 47, is a longitudinally extending slot 47a. Each channel 47 terminates at its rear end in a discharge ramp 49 (see FIG. 3 specifically). The top surface of the dividing wall 44 is copla nar with the top surface of the bottom wall 36 in the front section 31, thereby defining a continuous surface for supporting the slide, as will be explained.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the side 41 of the body 40 has an outwardly facing, elongated recess 50 extending in the direction of such side 41. The inner surface of the recess is generally flat. A second recess 51 is formed in the side 41 adjacent to the rear of the recess 50 and communicating therewith and being open toward the top surface42. A recess 52 is also provided in the side 41, near the front of the recess 50 and communicating therewith and open toward the bottom surface 43 of the body 40. Similarly, an outwardly facing, elongated recess 53 (FIG. 5) is formed in the other side 41a of the body 40. Also a recess 54 (FIG. 1) is formed in the side 410 near the rear of the recess 53 and communicating therewith and opening toward the top surface 42.'A recess 55 (FIG. 6) in the side 41a is near the front of the recess 53 and communicates therewith and opens toward the bottom surface 43.

The coin chute also comprises a top plate 60 which is generally rectangular and is mounted in a recess formed in the top wall 42 of the body 40. A projection 61 is struck from the top plate 60, so as to protrude upwardly and forwardly. A pair of lugs 62 is struck from the rear of the top plate 60, so as to be directed normal thereto. Two fingers 63 protrude outwardly from the sides of the top plate 60 adjacent the front end thereof, which fingers 63 have openings therethrough aligned with bores in the body 40, through which openings and bores pass screws 64. Other screws 64 pass through the rear of the top plate 60 and are threaded into the body 40.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the coin chute 20 also comprises a bottom plate 70, the upper surface of which defines a floor 71. A pair of laterally spaced apart short sides walls 72 and 73 is arranged near the front of the floor 71 and is directed upwardly therefrom. Disposed midway between the side walls 72 and 73 and generally parallel thereto is a short center wall 74. Formed in the front region of the floor 71 between the walls 72 and 74 is a ramp 75 which extends downwardly from the front toward the rear. Similarly, a ramp 76 is formed between the walls 73 and 74 and extends downwardly from the front towards the rear. A longitudinally extending channel 77 extends through the ramp 75 and also part way into the floor 71. A channel 78 extends longitudinally through the ramp 76 and also into the floor 71. The channels 77 and 78 are respectively longitudinally aligned with the slots 47a in the rear section 32 of the housing 30 and with the channels 37 in the front section of the housing 30.

An upstanding partition 48 extends longitudinally in alignment with the center wall 74, at the rear of the bottom plate 70. A rectangular slot 80 is provided in the bottom plate 70 and is located in front of the partition 79. Toward one side ofthe bottom plate 70 is are cess 81 having a generally rectangular shape extending from the rear end of the plate 70 to the rear end of the ramp 75. A similar recess 82 is formed in the other side of the bottom plate 70 and extends from the rear end thereof to the ramp 76. The depth ofeach of the recesses 81 and 82 is approximately one half of the thickness of the bottom plate 70. Formed in the bottom surface of the plate 70 is a laterally extending channel 83 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Two ears 84 protrude from the plate 70 at the front end thereof, which ears have threaded holes therein for threadably receiving the ends of the screws 64 which pass through the top plate 60 and the body 40. Additionally, two screws 85 pass through the rear of the bottom plate 70 to secure it to the body 40.

Referring to FIG. 9, the coin chute 20 further comprises a lever 90 constructed from an integral bar bent to provide a flat arm 91 and an abutment 92 at one end thereof. The abutment 92 is generally U-shapedand presents an abutment surface 93. A lug 94 stands on the arm adjacent to the abutment 92, the lug 94 having opposed notches 95 therein. The lever 90 also includes a mounting flange 96 on the other end of the arm 91, which mounting flange 96 is substantially perpendicular to the arm 91. The mounting flange 96 has a hole 97 in the end thereof farthest from the abutment 92 (FIG. 9).

The mounting flange 96 is disposed in the cavity defined by the recess 81 in the bottom plate 70 and the facing recess 52 in the body 40. A pivot pin passes through the hole 97 in the mounting flange 96 and in the hole 86 in the bottom plate and through a vertically aligned hole (not shown) in the ceiling of the recess 52 in the body 40. Thus, the lever is pivotally mounted to the body 40 and is pivotal about an axis defined by the pin 98. If desired, bearings may be provided in the body 40 and in the plate 70 to receive the ends of the pin 98. Alternatively, the pin 98 could be formed as part of the mounting flange and protrude from both sides thereof.

The abutment 92 is movable with the arm 91 between a latching position when the arm 91 is in the recess 50 and an unlatching position when the arm 91 is out of the recess 50. When the arm 91 is in the recess 50, the abutment 92 is disposed in the cavity defined by the recess 51. A spring 99 has one end looped around the lug 94 and the other end looped around the nearest one of the two lugs 62 formed in the top plate 60. The spring 99 urges the lever toward the body 40, and thus urges the abutment 92 to the latching position thereof. The arm 91 is defined by parallel inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface of the arm 91 resting against the inner surface of the recess 50 in the latching posi tion of the abutment 92. The thickness of the arm 91 is substantially equal to the depth of the recess 50, to cause the outer surface of the arm 91 to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the side 41 in the latching position of the abutment 92.

There is also provided a second lever 100 which is the mirror image of the lever 90, but has all the same parts. Those of the parts that are shown are labeled with corresponding reference numerals, but with 10 added thereto. 1n the interest of brevity, the details of the lever 100 will not be further described. The mounting of the lever 100 is also identical to the mounting of the lever 90, except that it is mounted on the side 41a of the body 40. Also, a spring 109 is provided, having its ends respectively secured to the lug 104 and the remaining lug 62.

The coin chute 20 further comprises a slide 110 which includes a generally rectangular plate 111 having a handle 112 at its forward end. The plate 111 has a smaller,coin receiving aperture 113 and a larger coinreceiving aperture 114, respectively to receive coins 22 and 23. Depending from the plate 111 is a pusher bar 115 in front of the aperture 113 and an aligning bar 115a to the rear of the aperture 113, the pusher bar 115 and the aligning bar 115a being longitudinally aligned with each other and with the center ofthe aperture 113. Similarly, a pusher bar 116 depends from the plate 111 to the rear of the aperture 114, and an aligning bar 1160 depends from the plate 111 rearwardly of the aperture 114. The pusher bar 116 and the aligning bar 116a are also longitudinally aligned and aligned with the center of the aperture 114. The sides of the plate 111 are offset to define shoulders which respectively function as keepers 117 and 118, as will be described hereinafter. At the end of the plate 111 are two laterally spaced apart holes 119 for mounting an actuator to actuate a switch on the vending machine in which the coin chute 20 is used. in front of the holes 119 is a bracket 120 having an upstanding lug 121 and mounted in place by means of screws 122.

The slide 110 is reciprocably carried by the housing 30 in the upper level 45 thereof. Specifically, the slide rests on the top surface of the bottom wall 36 of the front section 31 and on the coplanar top surface of the dividing wall 44 in the rear section 32. The slide 110 is disposed between the guides 35 and the bottom wall 36 of the front section 31, and between the sides 41 and 41a of the rear section 32. The slide is reciprocable between the retracted position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a fully advanced position in which the handle 112 is only slightly in front of the face plate 33. A spring 124 has one end wrapped around the lug 121 of the bracket 120 and has the other end wrapped around the projection 61 on the top plate 60, thereby urging the slide 110 to the retracted position thereof. In the retracted position of the slide 110, the pusher bar 115 and the aligning bar 115a are arranged in one of the channels 37, and the other pusher 116 and aligning bar 116a are arranged in the other one of the channels 37. As the slide 110 is advanced, the pusher 115 and the aligning bar 115a ride in one of the slots 47a in the dividing wall 44 and in the channel 77 in the bottom plate 70, while the pusher bar 116 and the aligning bar 116a ride in the other slot 470 and in the channel 78.

Referring to FIG. 7, the keeper 117 on the slide 110 is engageable with the abutment surface 93 of the abutment 92 in the latching position thereof, and the keeper 118 on the slide 110 is engageable with the abutment surface 103 of the abutment 102 in the latching position thereof. It is to be understood that such engagement of the keepers 117 and 118 respectively with the abutment surfaces 93 and 103 when the slide 110 is advanced slightly from its rest position to a position well short of full advancement, which engagement prevents the slide 110 from further advancement.

The coin chute also comprises a calipering means which includes an adjustable element 130. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 6, the element 130 includes a first carriage plate 131 which is generally rectangular and has a slot 132 therein. An upstanding abutment 133 is provided on one end of the carriage plate 131, and a lug 134 is provided on the same end, but extending in the opposite direction. The lug 134 has a threaded aperture therein. In one embodiment, the adjustable element 130 was formed by bifurcating one end of a plate and bending one leg in one direction to form the abutment 133 and the other leg in the opposite direction to form the lug 134. The carriage plate 131 is disposed in the channel 83 on the bottom plate 70 and is guided by the walls thereof. The abutment 133 protrudes through the slot 80, so that it extends into the lower level 46. A headed screw 135 passes through the slot 132 and threadably engages in a hole in the bottom plate 70, to secure the carriage plate 131 at a selected position in the channel 83. The second element of the measuring means is a portion of a wheel 138 (see FIG. 9), having one side flattened and abutting the adjacent portion of the arm 91. The other side of the wheel 138 has a groove 139 therein. The wheel 138 is secured to the mounting flange 96 in a convenient fashion and is arranged to be in lateral alignment with the lug 134 on the carriage plate 131 and between the hole 97 and the abutment 92. The spacing between the lug 134 and the wheel 138 corresponds to a coin 22 (see FIG. 9) ofa predetermined denomination, such as a nickel.

The coin chute 20 comprises a second calipering means including an adjustable element 140 which is the mirror image of the element 130, but is identical in all other respects. The adjustable element 140 has parts corresponding to those of the adjustable element 130, and, for the sake of simplicity. they are labeled with corresponding reference numerals. but with 10 added thereto. The carriage plate 141 of the element 140 is also positioned in the channel 83. The wheel 148 is secured to the mounting flange 106 of the lever and is arranged to be in lateral alignment with the lug 144 on the carriage plate 141. The initial spacing between the lug 144 of the adjusting element and the wheel 148 corresponds to a coin of a predetermined denomination, such as a quarter.

The lugs 134 and 144 have laterally aligned threaded openings therein, through which openings pass a bolt 150. The bolt 150 has a head 151 with a hex opening 152 (FIG. 2), and an unthreaded end to which is secured a C-clip (not shown). A nut 155 is disposed between the lugs 134 and 144. The abutments 133 and 143 may be laterally moved by loosening the associated screw 135 or and rotating the bolt 150. Specifically, to move the abutment 133, the screw 135 is loosened and the bolt is rotated in one direction to move the abutment 133 laterally outwardly, or in the other direction to move it laterally inwardly. When the desired position of the abutment 133 is reached, the screw 135 is tightened. Then, the abutment 143 can be adjusted in a similar fashion by first loosening the screw 145 and then rotating the bolt 150 to move the abutment 143 to the desired position. Whichever abutment is being positioned, the other abutment is stationary, since its associated screw is tightened. When the desired positions of the abutments 133 and 143 have been selected, the nut may be rotated to bind it against one of the lugs 134 or 144, to prevent further rotation of the bolt 150. This construction enables either abutment to move very slight and exact amounts, and then to insure that the abutments do not unintentionally move during use.

The coin chute 20 further comprises some additional elements which are not novel and are found in the usual coin chute of this basic construction. To complete the description of the coin chute 20, these elements will be described briefly. There is provided a pair of dip levers 160, each having a depending finger 161 at the associated forward end. The dip levers are pivotally mounted at 162, so that the fingers 161 are swingable into and out of slots formed in the body 40. Springs 163 are respectively disposed between the opposite ends of the dip levers 160 and the top plate 60. The springs 163 urge the fingers 161 downwardly and against the slide 110. The dip levers 160 constitute a washer-sensing mechanism. If, instead of coins, washer slugs are inserted into the apertures 113 and 114 and the slide 110 is advanced rearwardly, the fingers 161 will drop into the holes of the washers, thereby preventing further advancement of the slide 110. The coin chute 20 also includes a magnet 164 (see FIG. 5) which is mounted in a suitably formed cavity defined by the body 40 and the top plate 60. The magnet prevents slugs made of steel or other magnetizable from being advanced by the slide 110. There is also provided a lug 165 which carries a pivotally mounted pawl 166. A wire spring 160 is secured to the top plate 40 by means of a screw 168. The free ends of the spring 167 are located in slots in the pawl 166. The pawl 166 engages in depressions along the slide 120 as it is advanced, to prevent retrograde movement thereof.

In operation, a nickel is inserted in the aperture 113 in the slide 110, and a quarter is inserted in the aperture 114, the coins resting on the bottom wall 36. The user then pushes on the handle 112 to advance the slide 110 rearwardly. The pushers 115 and 116 respectively push the coins 22 and 23 rearwardly. Because the coins 22 and 23 do not have holes therein, the dip levers 160 remain in their raised positions. The coins 22 and 23 are advanced beyond the face plate 33 until they are in vertical alignment with the ramps 75 and 76, on the bottom plate 70. At this point, the upper level 45 communicates with the lower level 46, whereby the coins 22 and 23 drop respectively onto the ramps 75 and 76 which guide the coins respectively to the lower level 46. As the slide 110 is further advanced, the coin 22 is moved by the pusher 115, between the side wall 72 and the center wall 74, while the coin 23 is moved by the pusher 116, between the center wall 74 and the side wall 73. Referring to FIG. 9, the coin 22 enters between the abutment 133 and the wheel 138. If the initial spacing between such abutment and wheel is such as to ac cept the particular coin 22, it will pivot the lever 90, clockwise (as illustrated in FIG. 8) about the pin 98 to a position where the arm 91 is out of the recess 50 and the abutment 92 is out of the recess 51. Similarly, if the coin 23 corresponds to the denomination determined by the initial spacing between the abutment 143 and the wheel 148, the arm 101 will pivot counterclockwise as the coin 23 is advanced to move the arm 101 out of its associated recess and the abutment 102 out of its associated recess to the unlatching position thereof.

When the abutments 92 and 102 are in the unlatching positions thereof, the slide 110 will have been freed for full advancement, whereby the slide 110 can continue to advance, thereby advancing the coins 22 and 23 rearwardly along the channels 47 to the ramps 49 which discharge the coins into a suitable container. The actuator (not shown) on the rear end of the slide 110 can then actuate the mechanism of the vending machine, as heretofore described.

The initial spacing between the abutment 133 and the wheel 138 determines the denomination of the coin which will pivot the lever 90, so that the abutment 92 thereof will move to its unlatching position. By adjusting the position of the abutment 133 in the manner previously described, the initial spacing can be set pre cisely according to a specific coin. Similarly, the spacing between the abutment 143 and the wheel 148 can be adjusted. The arrangement for adjusting the positions of the abutments 133 and 1143 enables very accurate placement thereof, and the tightening of the screws 135 and 145 insures that the abutments 133 and 143 will not move unintentionally during use. Also noteworthy is the reduced number ofparts necessary to construct the calipering and latching means.

The provision of elongated recesses in the sides 41 and 41a of the body 40 insures that the levers 90 and 100 will be tucked in and therefore protected from damage thereto. Similarly, the abutments 92 and 102 are tucked into associated recesses in the body 40 to protect them. The use of pivot pins which pass through the levers 90 and 100 into portions of the body 40 above and below such levers, precludes deformation of the pins or otherwise introducing inaccuracies in use.

It is believed that the invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, structural details, are nevertheless, capable of wide variation within the purview of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, at least one of said sides having an outwardly facing elongated recess therein extending in the direction of said one side, a lever including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting said mounting portion to said housing to enable said arm to swing into and out of said recess, said abutment being movable with said arm between a latching position when said arm is in said recess and an unlatching position when said arm is out of said recess, means attached to said housing and to said lever for urging said abutment to the latching position thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and re ciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having a coin-receiving aperture therein, a keeper on said slide engageable with said abutment in the latching position thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advance ment for latching said slide against further advancement, and first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by said slide, said elements having an initial spacing there between corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination, so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said lever to carry said abutment to the unlatching position thereof and thereby free said slide to move toward full advancement.

2. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a from section, a rear section, and a face plate between said sections and directed substan: tially perpendicular to said slide.

3. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said recess is defined by a substantially flat inner wall and has a given depth, said arm being a bar defined by parallel inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface of said arm resting against the inner wall of said recess inthe latching position of said abutment, the thickness of said arm being substantially equal to the depth of said recess to cause the outer surface of said arm to be substantially flush with the outer surface of said one side wall in the latching position of said abutment.

4. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said one side wall has a cavity therein communicating with said recess adjacent to the forward end thereof, said mounting portion being disposed in said cavity and pivotally secured to said housing.

5. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting portion is pivotally mounted to said housing at a point thereon forwardly of said abutment.

6. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever is an integral bar formed to provide said arm and said abutment and said mounting portion.

7. The coin chute set forth in claim I, wherein said abutment is substantially U-shaped when viewed in a direction parallel to said one side wall.

8. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever further includes an upstanding lug on said arm, and said means urging said abutment to the latching position thereof is a spring secured to said housing and to said lug.

9. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said one side wall has a cavity therein communicating with said recess adjacent to the rear thereof, said abutment being disposed in said cavity when said abutment is in the latching position thereof.

10. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said second element is mounted on said mounting portion.

11. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said second element is mounted on said mounting portion between said mounting means and said abutment.

12. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said keeper is a laterally directed shoulder on the adjacent side of said slide.

13. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said first element is a wheel carried by the mounting portion of said lever.

14. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a carriage plate mounted on said housing for sliding movement thereacross, an abutment on said carriage plate and depending therefrom and defining said second element, and means for securing said car-.

riage plate in a selected position.

15. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, at least one of said sides having an outwardly facing cavity therein defined by a ceiling and a floor, a lever including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, said mounting portion being disposed in said cavity between said ceiling and said floor, a pivot pin passing through said ceiling and said floor and said mounting portion to enable said arm to swing toward and away from said housing, said abutment being movable with said arm between a latching position when said arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when said arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said lever for urging said abutment to the latching position thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having a coin receiving aperture therein, a keeper on said slide engageable with said abutment in the latching position thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, and first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by said slide, said elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said lever to carry said abutment to the unlatching position thereof and thereby free said slide to move toward full advancement.

16. The coin chute set forth in claim 15, wherein said housing includes a main body portion having a recess in a side thereof, a bottom plate secured to said main body portion, said plate having a recess therein in communication with the receses of said main body portion to define said cavity.

17. The coin chute set forth in claim 15, wherein said one side wall has a further cavity therein for receiving Said abutment in the latching position thereof.

'18. The coin chute set forth in claim 17, wherein said further cavity is rearwardly of said first-mentioned cavity.

19. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portions of said levers to said housing respectively adjacent to the sides thereof to enable said arms to swing toward and away from said housing, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when said arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when said arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having first and second coin-receiving apertures therein, two keepers on said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in the latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said first lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said first aperture, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereto to the unlatching position thereof, third and fourth laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said second lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said second aperture, said third and fourth elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said fourth element and cause said second lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, said slide being freed to move toward full advancement when coins of proper denomination have caused the abutments of both of said levers to move to their respective unlatching positions, means for releasably securing said first and third elements in selected positions, and threaded means operatively interconnecting said first and third elements, whereby said first or said third elements may be laterally moved by loosening the associated securing means and then rotating said threaded means, whereby the lateral positions of said first and third elements may be finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance between said first and second elements and the distance between said third and fourth elements to select the denomination of the coins which will unlatch said abutments.

20. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a laterally directed guide thereon and a pair of sides, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portions of said levers to said housing respectively adjacent to the sides thereof to enable said arms to swing toward and away from said housing, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having first and second coin receiving apertures therein, two keepers on'said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in the latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, a first carriage plate movable along said guide and carrying a first element, means for securing said first carriage plate at a selected location along said guide, a second element on said first lever laterally aligned with said element, whereby said first and second elements are arranged to receive there between a coin carried in said first aperture, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, a second carriage plate and movable along said guide and carrying a third element, means for securing said second carriage plate at a selected location along said guide, and a fourth element on said second lever laterally aligned with said third element, whereby said third and fourth elements are arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said second aperture, said third and fourth elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said fourth element and cause said second lever to carry the abutment therein to the unlatching position thereof, said slide being freed to move toward full advancement when coins of proper denomination have caused the abutments of both of said levers to move to their respective unlatched positions, the lateral positions of said first and third elements being finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance be tween said first and second elements and the distance between said third and fourth elements to select the denomination of the coins which will unlatch said abutments.

21. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said first and second carriage plates respectively have laterally aligned first and second lugs thereon, said lugs re spectively having laterally aligned threaded openings therein, a bolt threadably engaging in said openings, whereby said first or said third abutments may be laterally moved by loosening the associated tightening means and then rotating said bolt.

22. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein each of said carriage plates has a laterally directed slot therein, and said tightening means includes a headed screw passing through said slot and threadably engaging in said housing.

23. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said housing includes a main body portion and a bottom plate secured thereto, said guide being formed on the bottom surface of said bottom plate, said bottom plate having a slot therein communicating with said guide for receiving therethrough said first and third elements.

24. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said housing includes a main body portion and a bottom plate secured thereto, the bottom surface of said bottom plate having a laterally directed channel defining said guide, said bottom plate having a slot therein com municating with said channel for receiving therethrough said first and third elements.

25. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides and first and second levels, said first level being above said second level in use of said coin chute, said sides having respectively first and second outwardly facing elongated recesses therein extending in the direction of said sides, said sides having respectively first and second outwardly facing cavities therein respectively communicating with said recesses and each defined by a celling and a floor, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, the mounting portion of said first lever being disposed in said first cavity between the ceiling and the floor thereof, a first pivot pin passing through the ceiling and the floor of said first cavity and the mounting portion of said first lever to enable the arm thereof to swing in a plane defined by said first level into and out of said first recess, the mounting portion of said second lever being disposed in said second cavity between the ceiling and the fioor thereof, a second pivot pin passing through the ceiling and the floor of said second cavity and the mounting portion of said second lever to enable the arm thereof to swing in a plane defined by said first level into and out of said second recess, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when said arm is in the associ* ated recess and an unlatching position when said arm is out of the associated recess, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried in the first level of said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position, said slide having first and second coin receiving apertures therein to move coins along said first level and means associated with said apertures for moving said coins along said second level, the apertures in said slide communicating with said second level forwardly of said mounting portions so that coins carried by said slide will drop into said second level as said slide is advanced, two keepers on said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in the latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, first and second laterally aligned elements arranged in said second level and rearwardly of the abutment of said first lever and respectively mounted on said housing and on said first lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin moved by the means associated with the first aperture in said slide, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching 3,871,504 15 16 position thereof, third and fourth laterally aligned elelatching position thereof, the lateral positions of said ments arranged in Said Second level and rearwardly of first and third elements being finely adjustable respeclhe abutment Said Second levef and respectively tively to vary the distance between said first and second mounted on said housing and on said second lever and elements and the distance between Said third and arranged to .recelve.therebetween a Com l by.the fourth elements to select the denominations of the means associated with the second aperture in said slide,

coins Which Will unlatch said abutments, and means for said third and fourth elements having an initial spring i I therebetween corresponding to a Coin f a predeum securing said first and third elements in selected posimined denomination so that such coin carried by said lionsslide will move said fourth element thereon to the un- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,871,504 DATED March 18, 1975 iNvENTOR(S) Mario Anesi, Salvatore Macri and John P. Wynn It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 11, line 66 "receses" should be --recess--; and

Column 13, line 22, after "said" first occurrence insert --first-- Signed and sealed this 0th day of June 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, at least one of said sides having an outwardly facing elongated recess therein extending in the direction of said one side, a lever including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting said mounting portion to said housing to enable said arm to swing into and out of said recess, said abutment being movable with said arm between a latching position when said arm is in said recess and an unlatching position when said arm is out of said recess, means attached to said housing and to said lever for urging said abutment to the latching position thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having a coin-receiving aperture therein, a keeper on said slide engageable with said abutment in the latching position thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, and first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by said slide, said elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination, so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said lever to carry said abutment to the unlatching position thereof and thereby free said slide to move toward full advancement.
 2. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a front section, a rear section, and a face plate between said sections and directed substantially perpendicular to said slide.
 3. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said recess is defined by a substantially flat inner wall and has a given depth, said arm being a bar defined by parallel inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface of said arm resting against the inner wall of said recess in the latching position of said abutment, the thickness of said arm being substantially equal to the depth of said recess to cause the outer surface of said arm to be substantially flush with the outer surface of said one side wall in the latching position of said abutment.
 4. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said one side wall has a cavity therein communicating with said recess adjacent to the forward end thereof, said mounting portion being disposed in said cavity and pivotally secured to said housing.
 5. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting portion is pivotally mounted to said housing at a point thereon forwardly of said abutment.
 6. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever is an integral bar formed to provide said arm and said abutment and said mounting portion.
 7. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said abutment is substantially U-shaped when viewed in a direction parallel to said one side wall.
 8. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever further includes an upstanding lug on said arm, and said means urging said abutment to the latching position thereof is a spring secured to said housing and to said lug.
 9. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said one side wall has a cavity therein communicating with said recess adjacent to the rear thereof, said abutment being disposed in said cavity when said abutment is in the latching position thereof.
 10. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said second element is mounted on said mounting portion.
 11. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said second element is mounted on said mounting portion between said mounting means and said abutment.
 12. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said keeper is a laterally directed shoulder on the adjacent side of said slide.
 13. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, wherein said first element is a wheel carried by the mounting portion of said lever.
 14. The coin chute set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a carriage plate mounted on said housing for sliding movement thereacross, an abutment on said carriage plate and depending therefrom and defining said second element, and means for securing said carriage plate in a selected position.
 15. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, at least one of said sides having an outwardly facing cavity therein defined by a ceiling and a floor, a lever including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, said mounting portion being disposed in said cavity between said ceiling and said floor, a pivot pin passing through said ceiling and said floor and said mounting portion to enable said arm to swing toward and away from said housing, said abutment being movable with said arm between a latching position when said arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when said arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said lever for urging said abutment to the latching position thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having a coin receiving aperture therein, a keeper on said slide engageable with said abutment in the latching position thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, and first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried by said slide, said elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said lever to carry said abutment to the unlatching position thereof and thereby free said slide to move toward full advancement.
 16. The coin chute set forth in claim 15, wherein said housing includes a main body portion having a recess in a side thereof, a bottom plate secured to said main body portion, said plate having a recess therein in communication with the receses of said main body portion to define said cavity.
 17. The coin chute set forth in claim 15, wherein said one side wall has a further cavity therein for receiving said abutment in the latching position thereof.
 18. The coin chute set forth in claim 17, wherein said further cavity is rearwardly of said first-mentioned cavity.
 19. A coin chute comprising a housing being suBstantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portions of said levers to said housing respectively adjacent to the sides thereof to enable said arms to swing toward and away from said housing, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when said arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when said arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having first and second coin-receiving apertures therein, two keepers on said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in the latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, first and second laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said first lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said first aperture, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereto to the unlatching position thereof, third and fourth laterally aligned elements respectively mounted on said housing and on said second lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said second aperture, said third and fourth elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said fourth element and cause said second lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, said slide being freed to move toward full advancement when coins of proper denomination have caused the abutments of both of said levers to move to their respective unlatching positions, means for releasably securing said first and third elements in selected positions, and threaded means operatively interconnecting said first and third elements, whereby said first or said third elements may be laterally moved by loosening the associated securing means and then rotating said threaded means, whereby the lateral positions of said first and third elements may be finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance between said first and second elements and the distance between said third and fourth elements to select the denomination of the coins which will unlatch said abutments.
 20. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a laterally directed guide thereon and a pair of sides, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, means pivotally mounting the mounting portions of said levers to said housing respectively adjacent to the sides thereof to enable said arms to swing toward and away from said housing, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when arm is adjacent to said housing and an unlatching position when arm is away from said housing, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried by said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position and having first and second coin receiving apertures therein, two keepers on said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in The latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, a first carriage plate movable along said guide and carrying a first element, means for securing said first carriage plate at a selected location along said guide, a second element on said first lever laterally aligned with said element, whereby said first and second elements are arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said first aperture, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, a second carriage plate and movable along said guide and carrying a third element, means for securing said second carriage plate at a selected location along said guide, and a fourth element on said second lever laterally aligned with said third element, whereby said third and fourth elements are arranged to receive therebetween a coin carried in said second aperture, said third and fourth elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said fourth element and cause said second lever to carry the abutment therein to the unlatching position thereof, said slide being freed to move toward full advancement when coins of proper denomination have caused the abutments of both of said levers to move to their respective unlatched positions, the lateral positions of said first and third elements being finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance between said first and second elements and the distance between said third and fourth elements to select the denomination of the coins which will unlatch said abutments.
 21. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said first and second carriage plates respectively have laterally aligned first and second lugs thereon, said lugs respectively having laterally aligned threaded openings therein, a bolt threadably engaging in said openings, whereby said first or said third abutments may be laterally moved by loosening the associated tightening means and then rotating said bolt.
 22. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein each of said carriage plates has a laterally directed slot therein, and said tightening means includes a headed screw passing through said slot and threadably engaging in said housing.
 23. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said housing includes a main body portion and a bottom plate secured thereto, said guide being formed on the bottom surface of said bottom plate, said bottom plate having a slot therein communicating with said guide for receiving therethrough said first and third elements.
 24. The coin chute set forth in claim 20, wherein said housing includes a main body portion and a bottom plate secured thereto, the bottom surface of said bottom plate having a laterally directed channel defining said guide, said bottom plate having a slot therein communicating with said channel for receiving therethrough said first and third elements.
 25. A coin chute comprising a housing being substantially rectangular in plan and having a pair of sides and first and second levels, said first level being above said second level in use of said coin chute, said sides having respectively first and second outwardly facing elongated recesses therein extending in the direction of said sides, said sides having respectively first and second outwardly facing cavities therein respectively communicating with said recesses and each defined by a ceiling and a floor, first and second levers each including an elongated arm and an abutment on said arm adjacent to one end thereof and a mounting portion on said arm adjacent to the other end thereof, the mounting portion of said first lever being disposed in said first cavity between The ceiling and the floor thereof, a first pivot pin passing through the ceiling and the floor of said first cavity and the mounting portion of said first lever to enable the arm thereof to swing in a plane defined by said first level into and out of said first recess, the mounting portion of said second lever being disposed in said second cavity between the ceiling and the floor thereof, a second pivot pin passing through the ceiling and the floor of said second cavity and the mounting portion of said second lever to enable the arm thereof to swing in a plane defined by said first level into and out of said second recess, each of said abutments being movable with the associated arm between a latching position when said arm is in the associated recess and an unlatching position when said arm is out of the associated recess, means attached to said housing and to said first and second levers for urging the abutments thereof to the latching positions thereof, a slide reciprocably carried in the first level of said housing between said sides thereof and reciprocable between a retracted position and a fully advanced position, said slide having first and second coin receiving apertures therein to move coins along said first level and means associated with said apertures for moving said coins along said second level, the apertures in said slide communicating with said second level forwardly of said mounting portions so that coins carried by said slide will drop into said second level as said slide is advanced, two keepers on said slide respectively engageable with said abutments in the latching positions thereof when said slide is advanced to a position short of full advancement for latching said slide against further advancement, first and second laterally aligned elements arranged in said second level and rearwardly of the abutment of said first lever and respectively mounted on said housing and on said first lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin moved by the means associated with the first aperture in said slide, said first and second elements having an initial spacing therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said second element and cause said first lever to carry the abutment thereon to the unlatching position thereof, third and fourth laterally aligned elements arranged in said second level and rearwardly of the abutment of said second lever and respectively mounted on said housing and on said second lever and arranged to receive therebetween a coin moved by the means associated with the second aperture in said slide, said third and fourth elements having an initial spring therebetween corresponding to a coin of a predetermined denomination so that such coin carried by said slide will move said fourth element thereon to the unlatching position thereof, the lateral positions of said first and third elements being finely adjustable respectively to vary the distance between said first and second elements and the distance between said third and fourth elements to select the denominations of the coins which will unlatch said abutments, and means for securing said first and third elements in selected positions. 